Our relationship with the International Fraternity, CIOFS, begins with all of us being brothers and sisters of Secular Franciscans around the world. I recall former National Minster, Tom Bello, OFS, telling us that we are members of four fraternities: the local, Regional, National and International Fraternities. We are connected to all Franciscans around the world.
Initial formation is the first step in a lifelong journey of learning, growing and discerning our vocations. ... Ongoing formation provides continuous opportunities for conversion and transformation as we strive to live our Rule. Good formation changes us and challenges us to question how we're doing on that journey. It gives us opportunities to reflect on our lives, the choices we make, the interactions that we have, and if we truly are living life to gospel and gospel to life. Formation supports us to continue growing in our vocation as we study the lives of St. Francis and St. Clare, the OFS Rule, and the gospels.
The Essential Documents of the Secular Franciscan Order (2005) is no longer in print. The Index in this document has been recently updated and has been added to the Home page on the OFS-USA website along with the OFS-USA Governing Documents that are contained within The Essential Documents of the Secular Franciscan Order.
Recently, a dog bit me. At our initial encounter, he seemed friendly but as he was passing me, he turned around to bite my leg. Not a nip – a real bite! I did nothing to provoke it. But who really knows … the dog didn’t give me a reason for the action. That experience made me ponder our relationships, especially with our enemies. Although we don’t always recognize them at first, people who can harm us do exist.
(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Spring 2025 Issue #115)
In this issue, five of the 30 regions are highlighted.
The Los Tres Compañeros Region covers the central swath of Texas from the southern tip in the south to Dallas and […]
A JPIC apostolate for Secular Franciscans, essential and unique to our order, is our ministry to our families. ... Our families are not just biological or relational connections. In Lumen Gentium, Family is described as “the domestic church” (LG, 11) because we share common beliefs, purpose, and life, in a family. “…[It] has been a treasure for the Church….
Remember the King in scripture who invited many guests to a wedding banquet for his son, but they would not come? (Matt: 22) The guests were “too busy, had to take care of business, or were away on a trip.” Remember all the excuses? Sound familiar? This occurs in families even now.
Francis never praises God’s works of creation; rather, he praises God the Creator per, or through, his works. When Francis looked at creation, he saw the Creator. Thomas of Celano emphasized this point: “In art he praises the Artist; whatever he discovers in creatures he guides to the Creator. He rejoices in all the works of the Lord's hands, and through their delightful display he gazes on their life-giving reason and cause.” (Second Life, Chapter 124, 165).
Francis used to say “At dawn, when the sun rises, everyone should praise God, who created it, because through it the eyes are lighted by day. And in the evening, when it becomes night, everyone should praise God for another creature, Brother Fire, because through it the eyes are lighted at night.” (Assisi Compilation #83)
You may be familiar with and donate to the H2O Project, the international project that helps promote Christian solidarity, advocacy and financial support for poor communities who have no access to clean drinking water.